Public Involvement

The public involvement and participation measure is designed to include members of the public in the development and implementation of the Stormwater Program. Nassau County continues to work with nonprofits and watershed groups, and has reached out to professionals in trades related to stormwater, schoolchildren, members of the general public, and voters to improve the stormwater system quality on our island. Elements of this measure include cleanups, involving students, sponsorships, storm drain identifications, and voting for protection.

Cleanups
Throughout the year, Nassau County workers and volunteers from the community stage cleanups in Nassau County Preserves, removing tons of debris and garbage. Working with the American Littoral Society, Nassau County and over 600 volunteers cleaned over 7,000 pounds of litter and debris from over 20 miles of beaches in 2005.

In 2006, over 900 volunteers came out to clean up our beaches, removing over 10,000 pounds of debris! Operation SPLASH, an independent, membership-based, not-for-profit group that works closely with the Department of Public Works, removed 1,100 bags of garbage from bays on the south shore. The also installed a number of watershed debris-collection nets.

Involving Our Students
The Fourth Annual Nassau County Stormwater Logo Contest is now under way! Nassau County invites students to submit a logo and slogan for the County’s Stormwater Management Program. The logo and slogan will be used by the county on the program’s educational materials, which will help educate residents about the negative impact storm water runoff can have on streams, ponds, and bays in and around the our local communities.

Sponsorships
Nassau County invites the corporate sector to sponsor environmental projects through our partnership with Eco-Media. EcoZone is a groundbreaking and nationally honored public-private partnership that provides positive marketing and environmental message delivery for corporate sponsors. At the same time, they create opportunities for governments to address pressing environmental concerns. EcoZone is supported by Daimler Chrysler, Boeing, Hyatt, Bank of America, USEPA, USDOE, and NOAA, as well as Robert F Kennedy, Jr. and a number of advocacy groups.

Storm Drain Identification
Storm drains that drain directly to the south shore bays or to Long Island Sound are often marked to notify the public that dumping represents a particular threat to the health of our bays. Nassau County invites members of the public, including civic groups and scouts, to mark their local storm sewers with county-supplied materials and prevent harmful dumping. To get involved, call 516-571-6850.

Voting for Protection
Voters overwhelmingly passed the 2005 Environmental Bond Act and proposed a number of stormwater-related projects, of which 16 were ultimately chosen for funding. In 2006, another Environmental Bond Act was passed, and over dozens of storm water related projects have been approved for funding.

Partnerships
In addition, the County continues to work with watershed groups, non-profits, and volunteer organizations to solicit input on the NCSWMP and to implement its measures. More information on these groups can be found on our Info Links page.